An afternoon stroll through the Caserta Royal Palace and its gorgeous park is a perfect lazy afternoon activity. It was designed in the 18th century in the Italian Baroque era and there is absolutely NO shortage of beauty! The magnificence of the outdoors with its wide lawns, fountains, waterfalls, and sculptures, to the beauty of the interior with stucco works, fresco paintings, more sculptures, and inlaid floors that pass one after another… stunning detail in every area!! The history of the Palace has a historical and cultural importance deeply rooted in the territory, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s not only an attraction for tourists but also directors- Star Wars, Mission Impossible, Angels & Demons are just some of the blockbusters that have filmed at this location!

ROYAL PALACE

In 1750 Charles of Bourbon decided to build the Reggia, or palace, intending it to be the ideal centre of the new Kingdom of Naples. The design of the impressive construction was entrusted to the architect Luigi Vanvitelli: building started in 1752, but in 1773, on the death of Vanvitelli, the works had still not been finished. In the following century other architects brought this majestic royal residence to completion. The building has a rectangular plan with large inner courtyards, extends over an area of approximately 47,000 m2 and rises five storeys high. The magnificent palace has three entrances- one for carriages and the other two for pedestrians- and boasts 1200 rooms, 34 staircases and 1742 windows. The staircase of honour, a creation of eighteenth century scenographic art, leads inside. Across from the entrance hall are the royal apartments. These rooms for the use of the royal family were built over the course of more than one century, between the 1700s and the 1800s.

ROYAL PARK

Expanding across 11 acres, the garden’s pools, fountains and cascades are aligned through a ‘telescope effect’, extending as far as the eye can see. Royal Park is an integral part of the estate. Its key features include the garden, which stretches for 120 hectares, partly on hilly terrain. The park starts from the back façade of the palace and flanks a long promenade with artificial fountains and cascades. There is also a spectacular botanical garden, called “The English Garden,” designed in the 1780s. Construction of the garden started in 1753, the same year as the construction of the Carolino Aqueduct, which directs waters from the slopes of Mount Taburno to feed the fountains of the royal gardens and irrigate the plants. The park was completed by Carlo Vanvitelli, who, while simplifying the design of his father Luigi, was a faithful implementer, retaining the compositional rhythm of the alternation of fountains, water bodies, meadows, and waterfalls.

[https://visitworldheritage.com/en/eu/caserta-royal-palace-and-park-italy]

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